Part 3
Sunrise. Radiance shone down. Wen Rong ran down the stairs clatter clatter, his face beaming.
What the Senior taught really works!
He really didn’t chase after me!
Applying knowledge to get results, Wen Rong was so happy he hopped twice on the spot. The soles of the leather shoes were soft; his feet didn’t hurt at all.
Soon, Wen Rong calmed down again, straightened his hair, and patted his cheeks.
Calm down, calm down.
Be unfazed by favor or disgrace. Control emotions.
Ding—
Phone rang.
Leon: [Free? Need to handle the matter of your fight with Zhao Zeryang today.]
Wen Rong calmed down completely and thoroughly.
Although forced.
This matter had dragged on for several days; it was finally time for a result.
Wen Rong replied to Senior Leon: [Okay Senior, roughly what time?]
[See the car at the dorm entrance? Get in.]
Wen Rong looked up and saw an inconspicuous black car parked by the road. The driver’s window rolled down, revealing golden hair.
Senior Leon waved at him.
Wen Rong was happy to see him, and couldn’t help lamenting: The Senior is really rich. This is the third time seeing him drive, and it’s different every time.
Wen Rong got in the car. “Good morning, Senior.”
“Do you know why the matter between you and Zhao Zeryang is only being handled now?”
Wen Rong shook his head to indicate he didn’t know.
“Because school rules state that when Floriman Academy handles violation incidents, there must be a jury panel, and the jury votes to decide the final result. This time was spent selecting jury members.”
Wen Rong simply understood Leon’s words as: I’m going to be judged later, and some people will vote to decide how my problem is handled.
“How is this jury selected?”
“Drawn from all students in the school.”
Literally, Wen Rong felt this mode was very reasonable. However, thinking carefully, it seemed very unfair.
On the day of the incident, everyone stood by indifferently watching him get beaten, even cheering. Wen Rong felt that everyone in this school was prejudiced against him; it was hard to guarantee fairness.
Leon asked, “Why aren’t you talking?”
“Senior, do you know any reporters?”
“What’s wrong?”
“If everyone insists this matter is my fault, I will expose the bullying I faced to the media.”
Screech—
On the broad campus road, the black car suddenly veered off course, tires leaving a grey-white mark on the ground.
Leon and Wen Rong lurched forward due to inertia. Fortunately, they had seatbelts and didn’t hit the windshield.
Once everything stabilized, Leon parked the car by the roadside and looked at Wen Rong in shock.
Wen Rong was also dazed. “Se-Senior, is there a problem with me doing this?”
“…” Leon was quiet for a few seconds, his azure eyes relaxing. “No problem. Media has always been a very good tool. I’m just shocked you would think of this method.”
Small dimples appeared on Wen Rong’s cheeks.
Because the orphanage always played various news—many people found parents through TV, or found missing children… In Wen Rong’s cognition, news was more powerful than anything.
“But there will be a little trouble.”
Wen Rong’s smile froze.
“Do you know GMI Company?”
Wen Rong shook his head.
Leon thought briefly and re-explained, “Zhao Zeryang’s family runs an entertainment company. They are very good at steering news trends, turning black into white, white into black.”
“That amazing? He can control everywhere?”
“He can. The entire Federation’s media industry basically looks at his family’s expression to act.”
“…”
The opponent’s power exceeded Wen Rong’s imagination. The second path he envisioned was blocked, and he was a bit bewildered for a moment.
But he quickly regained reason. “Senior, what should I do?”
Fortunately, Wen Rong accepted days ago that he knew less than others. He knew he had lots and lots to learn, so he wouldn’t be discouraged by discovering his ignorance again.
And he was different from before; in this emergency, he could ask the more capable Senior for help.
Leon smiled. “It hasn’t started yet, why start thinking you’ve failed?”
“I…” Wen Rong hesitated, answering honestly, “I feel like the whole school dislikes me, so I think… I guess they won’t judge fairly.”
“So smart.”
Wen Rong was stunned, his heart pounding apprehensively.
“You discovered the flaw in the school rules so quickly,” Leon said. “Our school is only so big. Relationships between students are inextricably linked; some might have known each other since their grandparents’ generation. So in a sense, they have a bias from the moment they sit there.”
“Mn…”
“But you don’t need to be too afraid, because they are all idiots, easily tricked.”
“Tricked?”
In Wen Rong’s cognition, this wasn’t a good word.
“Yes.”
“Is tricking people not good?”
“People always have to do some extraordinary things for themselves. You have to learn to utilize advantages that belong only to you.”
“My own advantage?”
Leon reached out and tapped the center of Wen Rong’s brow. “Your advantage.”
Wen Rong’s head swelled; he understood even less. “My advantage?”
Leon retracted his hand and restarted the car. “Let’s not talk about this. When you came out of the dorm just now, you seemed very happy.”
Wen Rong nodded vigorously. “Because I put on the new uniform. Our uniform is really good-looking. I’ve never worn such a good-looking uniform, and it’s comfortable, especially the shoes.”
“It suits you. But why go out so early? It’s only 5 AM.”
“Wanted to go to the cafeteria early to eat, and also go off-campus to get a pair of glasses.”
Leon turned the steering wheel, turning the car around toward the school gate.
“Your glasses really should be replaced. I happen to know a very nice shop.” He paused. “The price is also very affordable.”
“Senior, you’re going too?”
“Aren’t we friends? Of course I’ll accompany you.”
Friends!
Wen Rong was elated, nodding vigorously again.
The Senior was his first friend.
“I suddenly remembered I need to get a haircut today. Want to come along?”
“Yes!”
Wen Rong actually had no plan to cut his hair, but he felt that doing the exact same thing as a friend was happiness.
“I’m going to make the Special Recruit die today!”
Zhao Zeryang walked into the Student Council building surrounded by the Tennis Club crowd. His eyes were red with rage, bandages wrapped around his head from the doctor a few days ago.
Zhao Zeryang fainted until the second day. Not only did he fail to show off and lost face, but he was also informed that the Tennis Club’s trophies were all broken.
Those were Open trophies donated to the club generation after generation for hundreds of years! Some Seniors had become historical figures, and the value of the trophies they left behind was immeasurable.
Someone on the forum even laughed, “So what if a certain Old Flame won the vote? The most complete and gold-laden tennis trophies in the whole school are now in Shi Ye’s hands.”
Zhao Zeryang felt Shi Ye wasn’t even the issue anymore; the Special Recruit was his enemy for life.
“Brother Zhao, calm down, calm down.”
Zhao Zeryang roared back, “How do you expect me to calm down! I have a points match next month, and now I get dizzy looking at things. How the hell do I play?”
The Tennis Club members looked at each other. One said, “Brother Zhao, control your emotions. We have to meet the jury later. We aren’t in the right on this matter; the best result is settlement.”
“Settlement is impossible! That bastard broke the trophies. Those were trophies won by past Seniors.”
Crowd: …
Crowd: We warned you before moving the trophies there!
Crowd: And if you didn’t provoke the Special Recruit, none of this would have happened.
Glances were exchanged again, but no one knew each other’s true thoughts. Under the indignant gazes, they guessed others supported Zhao Zeryang, so they spoke stubbornly, “Indeed, we can’t let it go like this.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged things with the jury. If I don’t make him drop out, I’ll make him kneel and lick my shoes clean every day until graduation.”
Crowd: ???
Crowd: Brother, I want to hit you.
“Doesn’t the forum have many of his simps? I’ll take photos and post them on the forum every day.”
Crowd: !!!
Crowd: Brother, I want to live.
Zhao Zeryang: “Why aren’t you talking?”
“…”
“You don’t believe me?”
“Brother Zhao…”
“I’ll open your eyes today.”
5:48 PM, Student Council Conference Room.
Twelve minutes until the scheduled time. All 13 jury members were in place.
“Why hasn’t the Special Recruit arrived? Such an attitude?”
“I’m curious what he looks like to charm those people on the forum to death.”
“Probably just average. Look at his height, not tall.”
“It’s not like our school lacks handsome guys. Which of the people rumored with him isn’t handsome?”
Click.
Someone entered. The jury held their breath instantly, looking toward the door in unison.
Result: The dark and crippled Zhao Zeryang led the Tennis Club crowd swarming in.
The jury deflated, but having eaten with Zhao Zeryang earlier, they couldn’t show their thoughts. They greeted him politely.
The Tennis Club members moved chairs, settling Zhao Zeryang before sitting in the gallery to wait anxiously.
One boy kept looking at others’ faces.
That day, Wen Rong said other Tennis Club members had looked for him too. The boy wanted to know who it was.
5:50 PM. The door was pushed open again.
The gallery and jury looked over in unison.
Leon entered, his gaze circling everyone’s faces. He smiled and asked, “Everyone’s here? Looking forward to me that much?”
When will that Special Recruit who charms simps to death by taking off his glasses arrive?!
The atmosphere was hyped to this point; no matter what happened, the jury wanted to taste the saltiness or blandness.
Everyone was too anxious to answer the question.
But on second thought, Leon seemed to have a scandalous relationship with the Special Recruit. If he came, the Special Recruit should be coming too.
Relieved, they continued to expect another person to walk out from behind the door.
Not daring to be too obvious, they slanted their eyes to peek.
Bam. Leon smiled and closed the door right in front of everyone.
Crowd: …
“I just called Zhou Xie. He has something to do and will be 10 minutes late,” Leon said, finding a seat in the gallery furthest from the Tennis Club group.
“Junior, there’s something I have to say.” Zhao Zeryang, oblivious to the atmosphere, turned to speak to Leon.
Leon raised a hand. “Senior, please speak.”
“You can’t stand on the Special Recruit’s side. We are on the same team.”
Leon nodded. “Mn.”
“So you agree to hand the Special Recruit over to me?”
“Why hand him over to you?”
Zhao Zeryang pointed at his forehead. “My head is broken, smashed by him. And our Tennis Club’s trophies are all broken, also caused by him. He has to take responsibility.”
Leon looked at the other Tennis Club members. “What do you guys think?”
Tennis Club Crowd: “…”
Zhao Zeryang was impatient. “Speak up.”
“This… this… we listen to the jury’s arrangement.”
Leon rested his hands on the table, the corner of his mouth pulling a mocking arc. “Senior, look. I’m not a jury member, neither are you. Who the Special Recruit is handed to isn’t decided by us. Even the jury isn’t qualified to decide. After all, the Special Recruit enjoys human rights under Federal Law; he isn’t an object. You can’t just open your mouth like doing business in a nightclub saying ‘I want him.’ People shopping at nightclubs get to pick the goods too, right?”
Leon was insinuating!
But Zhao Zeryang couldn’t afford to provoke Leon, so he bit the bullet. “The jury will hand him to me sooner or later. If you don’t help him—”
Leon swept a glance over the jury. “You’re so certain. Did you greet them in advance?”
The jury members averted their gazes.
Leon withdrew his gaze and sighed. “Senior, I hate taking sides the most. This time, I remain neutral.”
“Neutral is good.”
Although the answer wasn’t clear-cut, Zhao Zeryang was very satisfied.
A Special Recruit without Leon’s protection was just an ant.
Zhao Zeryang shifted to a comfortable posture, straightening his arms for a stretch.
The breaking of trophies accumulated over generations was a big deal. Whoever took the blame would be a “sinner for the ages.” Even if the cause had a little to do with him, who told the Special Recruit to fight back? If he didn’t fight back, none of this would have happened.
6:00 PM.
People in the conference room felt like years were passing. Time was stretched infinitely like a rubber band. Several people in the jury checked their watches in a relay.
“Why isn’t he here yet? He’s late.”
“Is this a commoner? No concept of time.”
“Leon, is that Special Recruit coming or not? If he’s not coming, let’s vote directly. Don’t waste everyone’s time.”
Leon said leisurely, “Why are you all asking me? Didn’t you check the forum last night? He and the President are the couple. What’s wrong with a young couple arriving 10 minutes late together? Normally doesn’t it take an hour? If you can’t wait, call Zhou Xie yourself and tell him to hurry.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
Those who surfed the web last night and those who missed the boat all fell silent.
“Are they really a couple?” A voice popped up from the Tennis Club side.
Leon: “Probably. Besides Leo, who else has ridden in Zhou Xie’s vintage car?”
“Seems that’s the case. Everyone knows Zhou Xie has an elderly schedule. Yesterday he personally woke up to ban the post, proving he really cares.”
Leon, who listened to Zhou Xie cursing Shi Ye all night yesterday, nodded hypocritically. “Mhm, mhm.”
Click.
The door opening sound rang again in the conference room.
The story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” didn’t work here; everyone turned to look at the door again.
This time, besides expecting the Special Recruit, they also had a “gossiping” mindset.
Not rumors, not fabrication—the maddest Dealer was actually dating the Special Recruit!
What was the difference between this and walking down the street and kissing a beggar? It simply shattered everyone’s worldview.
And made them even more curious.
What must he look like to charm a cold-blooded robot like the Dealer?
Heavy breathing rose and fell in the conference room, as if everyone was standing in a circle breathing into the next person’s ear.
Tap, tap.
Leather shoes stepped lightly on the floor. The sound fell clearly into ears, as fast as a heartbeat.
Tap, tap.
Getting closer.
Everyone’s heart was in their throat.
Walk faster!
—Zhou Xie entered everyone’s view with a cold face.
“Holy shit!”
Lost count of how many times they were disappointed.
Where is the Special Recruit???
Playing games???
“Is that Special Recruit coming or not?”
Pat, pat.
Someone tapped the complaining guy. “Look.”
The guy looked back at the door.
Behind Zhou Xie followed a Floriman Academy boy.
Lean, tall. As he entered, a clear, sweet scent drifted in the air.
Too well-behaved. He must have just come from a classroom, cheeks flushed red from being baked by the AC. Not daring to lose propriety in front of outsiders, he only undid the top button of his shirt to dissipate heat. His tie hung slightly loose, the end tucked into the small vest.
Floriman Academy’s uniform had always been criticized—after all, the style hadn’t been updated for years, and calling it “tacky” wasn’t an exaggeration. But worn on this boy, it inexplicably had a noble air of historical precipitation.
He and Zhou Xie were a real-life contrast of Beauty and the Beast—Zhou Xie was the beast.
Beautiful and noble like a prince, making people unable to look away.
Even Zhao Zeryang straightened his posture the moment he entered, even standing up.
Actually, a minute had passed, but no one felt the anomaly.
Amidst the attention of the crowd, the small boy approached Zhao Zeryang somewhat shyly.
Zhao Zeryang’s dark skin flushed red. Thinking the boy wanted to shake hands, he rubbed his rough palms against his uniform hem repeatedly, waiting to touch the boy’s hand.
The boy suddenly stopped, turned around, and sat rigidly on another chair. Hands resting lightly on knees. From the side, his spine was a beautiful S-shape.
Legs very long, pants a bit short, revealing slender ankles wrapped in black socks.
Only at this moment did everyone realize that not only was the boy’s temperament well-behaved and noble, but his face was also unexpectedly beautiful and elegant, untouched by worldly dust. The rimless glasses on his nose bridge added a sense of holy and intelligent coldness.
Ding—
On the other side of the conference room, Zhou Xie stood in the center of the podium, reaching out to press the bell on the desk.
Everyone woke from the dream, whispering to each other.
“Holy cow, when did the school get someone like this! Is Zhou Xie blind, keeping someone like this by his side and still going after the Special Recruit?”
“Which royal relative parachuted in?”
“Jury present. Zhao Zeryang present. Wen Rong present. Start now.”
So his name is Wen Rong.
Such a nice name. Gentle and soft, like little fluff, fits perfectly.
Wen…
WHAT??!!
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